The Department is mandated with developing a policy to be revised annually that identifies the levels of concern for certain toxic substances that the Department will use in determining whether to issue a fish consumption advisory. The initial written policy was submitted December 1, 2000, to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, the House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources. A review of the risk assessment used to calculate levels of concern which included exposure factors and reference doses was conducted. Recommendations from the review of polychlorinated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, mercury, dioxin, and Kepone are listed below.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. When polychlorinated biphenyl levels in fish range from 100 to below 500 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg), the Department recommends limiting consumption of contaminated fish species to two, 8 oz meals per month. When levels equal or exceed 500 µg/kg in fish, the Department recommends avoiding consumption of contaminated fish species.

2. When polybrominated diphenyl ether levels in fish range from 0.5 to below 1.0 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), the Department recommends limiting consumption of contaminated fish species to two, 8 oz meals per month. When levels equal or exceed 1.0 mg/kg in fish, the Department recommends avoiding consumption of contaminated fish species.

3. When mercury levels in fish range from 0.5 to below 1.0 mg/kg, the Department recommends limiting consumption of contaminated fish species to two, 8 oz meals per month. When levels range from 1.0 to below 2.0 mg/kg, the Department recommends limiting consumption to one, 8 oz meal per month. When levels equal or exceed 2.0 mg/kg in fish, the Department recommends avoiding consumption of contaminated fish species.

4. When dioxin levels in fish range from 2.0 to below 5.0 nanograms per kilogram (ng/kg), the Department recommends limiting consumption of contaminated fish species to two, 8 oz meals per month. When levels range from 5.0 to below 10 ng/kg, the Department recommends limiting consumption to one, 8 oz meal per month. When levels equal or exceed 10 ng/kg, the Department recommends avoiding consumption of contaminated fish species.

5. For Kepone, the Department is currently using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level of 0.3 mg/kg. When Kepone levels in fish are 0.3 mg/kg or higher, the Department recommends avoiding consumption of contaminated fish species.